In that case, I’m also going to tag @animallover22@kari_a@sgtmca@amberpep who have reached out before about MDD and may be good resources when it comes to discussing the different treatments paths that they’ve pursued.

Have you tried other treatments for MDD or discussed ketamine with your doctor?

I was treated with a week of ketamine infusions for a trial of possible treatment of Complex Regional Pain Disorder (“CRPS”), unfortunately however, it did not work for me. I have not heard of it being used in treatment of depression where I live. I have struggled with depression (very severe at times…2 attempts) most of my life and have been for the majority of the time since I was diagnosed with CRPS. It’s interesting that the last and only current remaining treatment that I tried to get approved for, I was actually denied because of my depression. Even though I told the doctors that my current depression was definitely a result of my CRPS and that being cured of it would pull me out of it they disagreed and that closed the door not only on the possibility of being cured of CRPS but also of my current depressive state that has just been aggravated more as a result of my husband’s recent death.
This is actually the first time since his death that I have logged back into MCC. If it weren’t for my dogs and my uncertainty as to what would happen to them upon my death, I would more than likely be in the urn with my husband. Not only do I not feel like I have any quality of life, I feel like I am just existing.
Every day just dealing with the severe pain and deterioration of my body. one day not much different than the next! I often wonder why we seem to have more compassion for our pets than other human beings. Meaning, that if my dog has severe pain that we are unable to control & make her comfortable we usually put them out of there misery. However, we will not do the same for humans. We make them persevere regardless of their level of pain. It has only gotten worse with this whole epidemic of drug addicts. Due to the situation, most doctors are very skeptical to prescribe even to the folks who legitimately
need them. This means subsequently drives some legitimate patients to obtain their drugs through other illegal means. This means that the medical community has to take some of the responsibility for the current situation.
They asked me during the last inquisition (when seeking the only remaining available treatment for my CRPS) what would happen if they just took away all of my pain meds. I responded by telling them that if the pain & the symptoms that I experienced got as bad as I had expected they had by that time, I would more than likely commit suicide. Once again they asked why. I could only shake my head and say that they obviously had never experienced the kind of pain that CRPS inflicts on you.

I was treated with a week of ketamine infusions for a trial of possible treatment of Complex Regional Pain Disorder (“CRPS”), unfortunately however, it did not work for me. I have not heard of it being used in treatment of depression where I live. I have struggled with depression (very severe at times…2 attempts) most of my life and have been for the majority of the time since I was diagnosed with CRPS. It’s interesting that the last and only current remaining treatment that I tried to get approved for, I was actually denied because of my depression. Even though I told the doctors that my current depression was definitely a result of my CRPS and that being cured of it would pull me out of it they disagreed and that closed the door not only on the possibility of being cured of CRPS but also of my current depressive state that has just been aggravated more as a result of my husband’s recent death.
This is actually the first time since his death that I have logged back into MCC. If it weren’t for my dogs and my uncertainty as to what would happen to them upon my death, I would more than likely be in the urn with my husband. Not only do I not feel like I have any quality of life, I feel like I am just existing.
Every day just dealing with the severe pain and deterioration of my body. one day not much different than the next! I often wonder why we seem to have more compassion for our pets than other human beings. Meaning, that if my dog has severe pain that we are unable to control & make her comfortable we usually put them out of there misery. However, we will not do the same for humans. We make them persevere regardless of their level of pain. It has only gotten worse with this whole epidemic of drug addicts. Due to the situation, most doctors are very skeptical to prescribe even to the folks who legitimately
need them. This means subsequently drives some legitimate patients to obtain their drugs through other illegal means. This means that the medical community has to take some of the responsibility for the current situation.
They asked me during the last inquisition (when seeking the only remaining available treatment for my CRPS) what would happen if they just took away all of my pain meds. I responded by telling them that if the pain & the symptoms that I experienced got as bad as I had expected they had by that time, I would more than likely commit suicide. Once again they asked why. I could only shake my head and say that they obviously had never experienced the kind of pain that CRPS inflicts on you.

Golly, I can’t really give you any advice with this, but I am so sorry you’ve had so much to deal with. I guess the first thing that I would consider is to get to one of the top ranked teaching hospitals in the country … i.e. Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Washington Hospital Center, and I’m sure there are others that you know about. If I were at the place where you are, I do whatever it took to get a good answer and treatment plan. I’m so sorry, and I’ll be praying for you.
Abby

I was treated with a week of ketamine infusions for a trial of possible treatment of Complex Regional Pain Disorder (“CRPS”), unfortunately however, it did not work for me. I have not heard of it being used in treatment of depression where I live. I have struggled with depression (very severe at times…2 attempts) most of my life and have been for the majority of the time since I was diagnosed with CRPS. It’s interesting that the last and only current remaining treatment that I tried to get approved for, I was actually denied because of my depression. Even though I told the doctors that my current depression was definitely a result of my CRPS and that being cured of it would pull me out of it they disagreed and that closed the door not only on the possibility of being cured of CRPS but also of my current depressive state that has just been aggravated more as a result of my husband’s recent death.
This is actually the first time since his death that I have logged back into MCC. If it weren’t for my dogs and my uncertainty as to what would happen to them upon my death, I would more than likely be in the urn with my husband. Not only do I not feel like I have any quality of life, I feel like I am just existing.
Every day just dealing with the severe pain and deterioration of my body. one day not much different than the next! I often wonder why we seem to have more compassion for our pets than other human beings. Meaning, that if my dog has severe pain that we are unable to control & make her comfortable we usually put them out of there misery. However, we will not do the same for humans. We make them persevere regardless of their level of pain. It has only gotten worse with this whole epidemic of drug addicts. Due to the situation, most doctors are very skeptical to prescribe even to the folks who legitimately
need them. This means subsequently drives some legitimate patients to obtain their drugs through other illegal means. This means that the medical community has to take some of the responsibility for the current situation.
They asked me during the last inquisition (when seeking the only remaining available treatment for my CRPS) what would happen if they just took away all of my pain meds. I responded by telling them that if the pain & the symptoms that I experienced got as bad as I had expected they had by that time, I would more than likely commit suicide. Once again they asked why. I could only shake my head and say that they obviously had never experienced the kind of pain that CRPS inflicts on you.

Thanks @amberprep, however there is really no further “treatment plans” available for my condition. I have exhausted all avenues in the 8 years of having CRPS, other than the one remaining SCS surgery that they have denied me. I should also mention that I live in Canada, so you cannot just go to another hospital to seek treatment. That is one of the downsides of having a one tiered, public health care system. I tried to change a Gynos once when I was not happy with him (I had seen him twice, previous to being admitted to hospital), & not only would they not let me change Gynos, they could not even get another Gyno to offer a second opinion as he “did not want to step on any toes”. Really makes you feel confident in our medical system, which has gotten much worse than it has ever been in our province.

What options do they say there are? I think I’d pull the same thing on them as I have here, “what would you do if this were you?” Then watch them squirm. Don’t let them off the hook. Wait for an answer. It’s so easy for them to say, “sorry, nothing more we can do,” while they walk away and you leave feeling awful. Why have they denied you the SCS surgery? I’m so sorry ….. I don’t know too much about it, but do you think a warmer climate may help?
I have heard that there are many people who come over the border to the U.S. for certain surgeries, treatments, etc. Just a thought.
Abby

I wonder if anyone in this group or in the depression and anxiety group knows when the intra-nasal spray of Esketamine, which is currently being developed by Johnson & Johnson, will be approved by the FDA and be available to those suffering from severe depression and anxiety. It was expected to have been approved and available by now, but that has not happened. This medication has the potential to improve the quality of life of the most severely affected patients of depression and anxiety. Any information about the availability of intra-nasal Esketamine will be most helpful. Thanks.

I have been posting on another thread. I’m currently receiving ketamine nasal spray as my doctor was one of the first in the country to work with ketamine many years ago. I can’t afford the infusions at this point. I’ve been using the nasal spray for about a week I’m not totally certain it’s helping me but he’d like me to give it a little more time. From what I understand from him ketamine really has the ability to heal brain receptors badly damaged by years of severe anxiety and depression. I will keep up with this thread if I feel anything really changes. It is supposed to be good for pain too sad it didn’t work for the person that received it for that.

To @hopeful123: Many thanks for posting the info. on Ketamine nasal spray. You are very lucky to have access to it. I am waiting for it to be available in the pharmacy after FDA approval. Don't know when that will happen. Hope and pray it happens soon. Thanks.

It’s true. I am lucky. Today I’ve just struggled very tired from starting the Celexa I think. My doctor is very concerned that the Johnson and Johnson one will only be given inpatient and only those experiencing suicidal ideation will get it. Regardless I wonder something. If your doctor would be open to a prescription for it my doctor uses a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts that makes it. I’m not totally sure if there’s a private message feature on this website if there is one feel free to send me a message and I could offer you their information.